Solar power system with communication network utilizing magnetic fields

Abstract

A solar power system with a communications network for reporting the performance status of each solar module in the array. The network includes short range peer-to-peer wireless links between adjacent solar modules along the rows and columns of the array, resulting in a matrix network topology. The wireless links are implemented with modulated magnetic fields.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A solar power system, comprising:
 a plurality of solar power modules arranged into a solar power array, wherein each solar power module comprises:
 a plurality of photovoltaic cells for converting light into electricity, 
 a transceiver circuit coupled to at least one magnetic loop for communicating via a modulated magnetic field, 
 a digital processing unit for acquiring parametric data related to the conversion of light into electricity and communicating with adjacent solar power modules via the transceiver circuit, and 
 a power supply circuit receiving power from at least one of the photovoltaic cells and supplying power to the transceiver circuit and digital processing unit; 
 
 a computer for receiving the parametric data from the solar power modules; and 
 a gateway device coupling the computer to one of the solar power modules. 
 
     
     
       2. The solar power system of  claim 1 , wherein the parametric data includes a voltage produced by the conversion of light into electricity. 
     
     
       3. The solar system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver circuits communicate on a plurality of frequency channels. 
     
     
       4. The solar power system of  claim 1 , wherein the gateway device communicates with the computer via a radio link or a signal sent over a power line. 
     
     
       5. A solar power module, comprising:
 at least one segment, each segment consisting of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series for converting light into electricity; 
 a transceiver circuit coupled to at least one magnetic loop for communicating via a modulated magnetic field; 
 a digital processing unit for acquiring parametric data related to the conversion of light into electricity, supplying data to the transceiver circuit, and processing data received by the transceiver circuit; and 
 a power supply circuit receiving power from at least one of the photovoltaic cells and supplying power to the transceiver circuit and digital processing unit. 
 
     
     
       6. The solar power module of  claim 5 , wherein the transceiver circuit communicates on a plurality of frequency channels. 
     
     
       7. The solar power module of  claim 5 , wherein the transceiver circuit comprises a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit. 
     
     
       8. The solar power module of  claim 5 , including an interface for communicating with a gateway device. 
     
     
       9. The solar power module of  claim 5 , wherein at least one magnetic loop comprises a trace on a printed circuit board. 
     
     
       10. The solar power module of  claim 5 , wherein at least one magnetic loop comprises a wire embedded within a frame around the periphery of the solar power module. 
     
     
       11. The solar power module of  claim 5 , wherein at least one magnetic loop comprises a conductor embedded within the laminate of the solar power module. 
     
     
       12. The solar power module of  claim 5 , including one or more capacitors, each capacitor connected in parallel with a segment of photovoltaic cells to form a magnetic loop. 
     
     
       13. The solar power module of  claim 5 , including a transformer for coupling the transceiver to at least one magnetic loop. 
     
     
       14. A communication apparatus for solar power modules, comprising:
 an interface for receiving power from a plurality of photovoltaic cells; 
 a transceiver circuit coupled to at least one magnetic loop for communicating via a modulated magnetic field; 
 a digital processing unit for acquiring parametric data related to power produced by the photovoltaic cells, supplying data to the transceiver circuit, and processing data received by the transceiver circuit; and 
 a power supply circuit receiving power from at least one of the photovoltaic cells, and supplying power to the transceiver circuit and digital processing unit. 
 
     
     
       15. The communication apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the parametric data includes a voltage produced by the photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
       16. The communication apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the transceiver circuit communicates on a plurality of frequency channels. 
     
     
       17. The communication apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the transceiver circuit comprises a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit. 
     
     
       18. The communication apparatus of  claim 14 , including an interface for communicating with a gateway device. 
     
     
       19. The communication apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one magnetic loop is external to the communication apparatus. 
     
     
       20. The communication apparatus of  claim 14 , including at least one bypass diode coupled to the photovoltaic cell interface.